211 Prayer for Christmas: Joyful Christmas Blessings
Christmas is a season of light. A prayer for Christmas helps a family slow down and remember why we celebrate. This page has 211 prayers and blessings for the holiday. You will find short wishes, Christmas Eve prayers, dinner blessings, kids prayers and Bible verses. Pick one and share it.
Many Americans mark the day with faith. The Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study shows that a majority of U.S. adults identify as Christian. For them, a short prayer at the tree or the table is part of the holiday.
Need a blessing right now?
Try this: “Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth. Bless our home this Christmas with Your peace, joy and love. Amen.”
Short Christmas Prayers and Blessings
Short prayers fit on a card or a text. They are easy to read aloud before opening gifts.
- Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus. Amen.
- May the joy of Christmas fill your heart.
- Bless our home this Christmas, Lord.
- Jesus, be the center of our Christmas.
- May peace be with you this holiday.
- Father, thank You for sending Your Son.
- God bless you and your family this Christmas.
- May your Christmas be bright and blessed.
- Lord, make our hearts ready for You.
- Merry Christmas. May God bless you.
- May the Christ child bring you peace.
- Thank You, Lord, for the greatest gift of all.
- May love fill every room at Christmas.
- Lord, give us joy in the simple things.
- May Christmas remind us of Your goodness.
- Father, bless the ones who are far away today.
- Lord, thank You for light in the darkness.
- May the star of Bethlehem lead you home.
- Bless this day, Lord, and everyone who celebrates it.
- May your home be filled with warmth and love.
- Jesus, we celebrate Your birthday today.
- God, give us grateful hearts this season.
- Lord, bring hope to every home this Christmas.
- May God’s grace wrap you like a warm blanket.
- Bless the little ones who wait for Christmas morning.
- May the angels’ song be in your heart today.
- Father, thank You for this family and this day.
- May your Christmas be full of wonder.
- Glory to God in the highest. Merry Christmas.
- Lord, bless us every one. Amen.
Christmas Eve Prayers
Christmas Eve is a quiet night of waiting. These prayers help a family pause before the morning.
- Lord, we wait for Christmas with joyful hearts.
- Father, thank You for the night the Savior was born.
- Jesus, come into our home tonight.
- God, bless every house on this holy night.
- Lord, let the peace of this night settle on us.
- Father, protect everyone who travels tonight.
- God, bless the shepherds still watching in the fields of our world.
- Lord, bring comfort to the lonely on Christmas Eve.
- Jesus, we light this candle in thanks for Your light.
- Father, hear the prayers we say by the tree tonight.
- God, bless the children who cannot sleep for excitement.
- Lord, watch over the sick and the hurting tonight.
- Father, bless the hands that wrapped gifts with love.
- God, thank You for a night when heaven touched earth.
- Lord, make us still enough to hear the angels.
- Jesus, may our hearts be a manger for You.
- Father, bless the church bells and the candlelight services.
- God, give peace to the families who are grieving tonight.
- Lord, bless our guests and those who are missing.
- Father, may the story of Bethlehem warm our hearts.
- God, bless the soldiers and first responders who are working tonight.
- Lord, bring joy to the hospital rooms and shelters.
- Jesus, we give You our worries tonight.
- Father, may our home be quiet, kind and holy.
- God, thank You for the gift of this family.
- Lord, guide us to share what we have.
- Father, bless the cookies, the carols and the candlelight.
- Jesus, we welcome You into our hearts tonight.
- God, bless tomorrow before it begins.
- Silent night, holy night. Lord, keep us in Your peace. Amen.
Christmas Dinner and Family Prayers
A holiday meal is a good time for a prayer for Christmas. These blessings suit a table full of family and friends.
- Lord, bless this Christmas feast and everyone at the table.
- Father, thank You for the food, the family and the fun.
- God, bless the cooks who spent hours in the kitchen.
- Lord, bless this meal and the memories we make today.
- Father, thank You for the people who traveled to be here.
- God, bless the empty chairs and the people we miss.
- Lord, thank You for the recipes handed down in our family.
- Father, bless the guests who are new to our table.
- God, let this meal remind us of Your abundance.
- Lord, bless the one who is saying grace and the ones who are listening.
- Father, thank You for the laughter in this room.
- God, bless the children who are too excited to sit still.
- Lord, thank You for the grandparents who gather us together.
- Father, bless every family that is sharing a meal today.
- God, make our table a place of peace.
- Lord, thank You for the gift of this holiday.
- Father, bless the wrapping paper, the ribbons and the surprises.
- God, thank You for a house full of love.
- Lord, remind us that the best gift is Jesus.
- Father, bless our family traditions and the new ones we start.
- God, help us listen and love each other today.
- Lord, bless the dishes, the dishwashers and the leftovers.
- Father, give us gratitude for what we have.
- God, make us generous with our time and our hearts.
- Lord, bless the family members who could not be here.
- Father, thank You for good health and good food.
- God, bless the friends who feel like family.
- Lord, bless every home with joy and every table with plenty.
- Father, may we leave this table closer to You and to each other.
- Thank You, Lord, for this Christmas. Amen.
Christmas Prayers for Kids
Children feel the magic of Christmas. These prayers use simple words and short lines that little ones can repeat.
- Thank You, God, for sending baby Jesus.
- Dear Jesus, happy birthday. We love You.
- Thank You for the star that led the wise men.
- God, thank You for Christmas lights and Christmas trees.
- Dear God, bless Mommy, Daddy and everyone who loves me.
- Thank You, Lord, for presents, and thank You most for Jesus.
- Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to be our friend.
- God, bless the animals in the stable and the babies in the world.
- Thank You, God, for snow, cookies and cuddles.
- Dear Lord, help me share my toys at Christmas.
- God, help me be kind like Jesus.
- Thank You for angels who sing about You.
- Dear Jesus, I am glad You were born.
- God, bless the kids who do not have presents this year.
- Thank You, Lord, for the shepherds who came to see You.
- Dear God, thank You for my family and my friends.
- God, help me remember that Christmas is about Jesus.
- Thank You for hot cocoa, God, and for Your love.
- Dear Lord, keep Santa safe and keep us safe too.
- God, bless our tree, our home and our guests.
- Thank You for the best gift ever, Jesus.
- Dear Jesus, please be in my heart this Christmas.
- God, I am thankful for Christmas songs and Christmas stories.
- Dear Lord, bless my teachers and my friends.
- Thank You, God, for grandmas and grandpas.
- Dear Jesus, help me love my brother and sister.
- God, thank You for letting me help wrap presents.
- Dear Lord, make our family happy and healthy.
- Thank You, Jesus, for being the light of the world.
- Goodnight, Jesus. Happy birthday. Amen.
Christmas Prayers for Those Who Are Alone or Grieving
Christmas can be hard. These prayers comfort people who feel lonely, sad or far from home.
- Lord, be near to everyone who feels alone this Christmas.
- Father, comfort those who miss someone they love.
- God, hold the family who has an empty chair at the table.
- Lord, give peace to the one who is grieving this season.
- Father, bless the person eating dinner alone today.
- God, bring a friend to the one who has no one.
- Lord, be with the sick in hospitals and nursing homes.
- Father, comfort the family who has lost a child.
- God, bless the widows and widowers on this holiday.
- Lord, hold the heart that is hurting today.
- Father, bless those who are far from home.
- God, give courage to the one who is facing a hard diagnosis.
- Lord, bring hope to the one who has lost a job.
- Father, bless the veterans who struggle during the holidays.
- God, shelter the homeless and the hungry.
- Lord, bless the families who are separated this Christmas.
- Father, give joy that is deeper than circumstance.
- God, remind us that You came for the brokenhearted.
- Lord, bring light to the dark places in our lives.
- Father, comfort those who cannot feel joy right now.
- God, give strength to caregivers this Christmas.
- Lord, bless the nurses and doctors working on the holiday.
- Father, bring peace to those in prisons and shelters.
- God, bless the refugee and the stranger in a foreign land.
- Lord, give us eyes to see the lonely among us.
- Father, help us invite someone to our table.
- God, give us hearts that reach out.
- Lord, let the love of Christmas find everyone who needs it.
- Father, wrap every hurting heart in Your peace.
- Emmanuel, God with us, be with them. Amen.
Christmas Prayers for Peace and Gratitude
The Christmas story is about peace on earth. These prayers ask God to bring peace and a thankful heart.
- Lord, bring peace on earth, starting with me.
- Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son.
- God, make us peacemakers in our homes.
- Lord, bring peace to the nations at war.
- Father, thank You for hope that does not fade.
- God, help us forgive as You forgive.
- Lord, bring peace to our neighborhoods.
- Father, thank You for the angels’ message of good news.
- God, make our hearts a place where Jesus is welcome.
- Lord, bring good will to all people.
- Father, thank You for a Savior born for everyone.
- God, give us humility like the shepherds.
- Lord, give us wisdom like the wise men.
- Father, thank You for the light that no darkness can put out.
- God, teach us to give as You gave.
- Lord, help us love our neighbors this season.
- Father, forgive the ways we rush past You.
- God, slow us down so we can enjoy Your presence.
- Lord, remind us that the manger is better than the mall.
- Father, thank You for the miracle of Christmas.
- God, bring joy to the world through us.
- Lord, make us generous with kind words.
- Father, heal our broken relationships.
- God, thank You for every blessing of this year.
- Lord, bring unity to our families and our churches.
- Father, thank You that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.
- God, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.
- Lord, help us carry the spirit of Christmas into the new year.
- Father, thank You for a love that never ends.
- Peace on earth, good will to all. Amen.
Traditional Christmas Prayers
Christians have prayed these words for centuries. Each comes from the Gospel of Luke or from the Lord’s Prayer. Use them at a candlelight service or at home.
| Prayer | Words to read | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 181. The Lord’s Prayer | “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” | Any gathering |
| 182. Mary’s Magnificat | “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” | Joy |
| 183. Angels’ announcement | “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” | Good news |
| 184. Gloria | “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” | Peace |
| 185. Prayer of Mary | “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” | Trust |
| 186. Simeon’s prayer | “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.” | Peace |
| 187. Advent prayer | “Come, Lord Jesus.” | Advent and Christmas Eve |
| 188. Aaronic blessing | “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee.” | Closing a service |
Bible Verses for Christmas
These verses come from the King James Version and fit any Christmas card, reading or prayer.
| Verse | Words to read | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 189. Luke 2:11 | “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” | The Christmas story |
| 190. Luke 2:14 | “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” | Peace |
| 191. Isaiah 9:6 | “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” | Prophecy |
| 192. Matthew 1:23 | “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” | God with us |
| 193. John 1:14 | “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” | The incarnation |
| 194. John 3:16 | “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” | God’s love |
| 195. Luke 2:10 | “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” | Joy |
| 196. Matthew 2:10 | “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” | The wise men |
| 197. Isaiah 7:14 | “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” | Prophecy |
| 198. Micah 5:2 | “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me.” | Bethlehem |
| 199. Luke 2:19 | “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” | Quiet reflection |
| 200. Matthew 2:11 | “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.” | Worship |
| 201. 2 Corinthians 9:15 | “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” | Gratitude |
| 202. Luke 1:37 | “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” | Hope |
| 203. Isaiah 60:1 | “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” | Light |
Closing Christmas Blessings
End a card, a dinner or a service with one of these short blessings.
- May your Christmas be merry and your new year be blessed.
- May the light of Christ shine in your home.
- May the joy of the angels be yours.
- May the peace of Bethlehem find you.
- May God’s love be the best gift you open.
- May every day feel a little like Christmas.
- May the Christ child keep you safe.
- God bless us, every one. Amen.
Say a short prayer this year, even if it is only one line. Hold hands at the table, light a candle or whisper it before bed. A few honest words can make the holiday holy.
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